“I know there are people who are ashamed. You have cancer! You have to then also feel ashamed? Like you did something bad because it took up residence in your anus? I mean, come on, really. There’s enough on your plate,” Cross said.

The 57-year-old admitted that being able to say the word “anus” out loud required some time and effort for her.

“Even for me, it took a while,” she said. “Anus, anus, anus! Ha. You just have to get used to it.”

Cross says that going for an annual rectal exam saved her life, and she encourages others to make it a part of their regular health-care routine.

“You can say, Okay this is embarrassing, this is uncomfortable, and by the time you know it, it’s over. I mean, lots of things in life are not fun. But you can bear it.”

As for how she’s doing now, Cross said, “I’m feeling back to normal though it’s a new normal. I don’t think I’ll ever take it for granted. I’m the girl who goes to the bathroom now and I go, ‘Yes! It’s great what my body can do! I’m so grateful.'”